herfurth



No. l6||,432. Patented Sept. 27,1898. w. HERFURTH.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

(Application filed Dee. B, -1896.) (NUMd'el.) 4 ShefS--lSheet 2.

ma ohms mans co., PHomumu, wAsHmcrcN. o. c.

N0.`6||,4a2. Patented sept. 27, |398.V

-w. HEnFunTH.

MERRY-GO-BOUND.

(Application led Dec. 8, 1896.)

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

WIM/8858 'ma Nonms rnzns co. PHoTc-LlrnmwAsmNmaN, u. c.

Ne. st|,482`. Patented sept. 27, 1:39a".

w. HERFURTH. MERRY-GO-RUUND.

' (Application mea nee. s, 189e (lilo Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

.zf 5 f" t N e /`(f l( 'al l t I vl I I WNESSES, /NVE/vof? @Hg law 40. am. By f/ I v UNITED STATES WILLIAM I-IERFURTH,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,482, dated September 27, 1898.

Application filed December 8,1896. Serial No. 614,942. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HERFURTH, of New York, (Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Merry-Go-Round, requiring but little driving power and affording considerable amusement and a desirable bodily sensation, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention consists principally of arevoluble frame having its axis inclined from a vertical plane and a flexible platform supported freely from the said frame to permit the sections thereof to assume a horizontal position by gravity.

The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as

will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying` drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure lis a plan view of the improvement.

ig. 2 is an enlarged cross'section of the flexible platform on the line 2 2 in Figs. l and 6. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the improvement on the line 3 3 in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper bearing for the revoluble frame. Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of the top cap for the frame. Fig. 6 is an .enlarged plan view of a portion of the platform, with parts in section on the line G 6 in Fig. 3 and parts broken out. Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation in part of the platn form-support on the line '7 '7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a partly-sectional detail view on the line 8 8 in Fig. 6, and Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views.

The several connected parts comprising the improved mechanical movement are mounted on a suitably-constructed stand or tower A, carrying an upper bearing B and a lower bearing C for a frame D, mounted to revolve in the said bearings, but in an inclined position, as 4indicated in the drawings. The bearing B is provided with rollers B', journaled in suitable brackets and engaging at the top an annular groove D', formed on the inside of the cap D2 for the frame D. The cap D2 is connected by stays D3 with 'a ring D4, engaged at its inner side by rollers C',

frame.

forming part of the bearing 'C and journaled in suitable brackets thereon. The ring D4 and the cap D2 are arranged parallel to one another, and the wheels B' and rollers C' are arranged in such a manner as to support the cap and wheel in an inclined position, as is plainly indicated in Fig. 3, so that the frame D in turning revolves in an inclined plane.

From the ring D4 extend pairs of arms D5, connected at their outer ends by pairs of stays D6 with the cap D2, so as to form a very rigid The outer end of each pair of arms D5 carries a socket D7, engaged by a ball E', held on the lower end of a rod E2, forming part of a beam E, extending equidistant on opposite sides of the socket D7, so that the beam is free to rock, with the ball E' in the socket D7 as the fulcrum.

The beam E is pivotally connected at its inner and outer ends with downwardly-extending links F and F', and a similar link F2 extends downward from the middle of the said beam and is adapted to carry a load F3 in the form of a hobby-horse, chair, gondola, or the like. The links F and F' are adapted to carry a platform G, made in sections G', G2, and G2, of which the middle sections G' are approximately diamond shape, and the other sections G2 and G3 extend from the sides .of the section G' to completely inclose the same, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. G. The outer edges of the sections G2 are formed into segments of a circle, and the inner edges of the sections G3 likewise form sections of a circle concentric to the circle formed by the outer edge of the platform. By making the platform G in sections said platform is rendered iiexible, so as to readily yield when the frame D is revolved.

In order to properly support the sections from the links F and F', l provide the following device:

, The lower ends of the links F and F' support U-shaped clips H and H', of which the clip H is connected with a ring I, and the clip H' is pivotally connectedwith a ring I', made in sections loosely connected with each other to admit expansion and contraction of the ring. The clips Hand H' support transversely-extending'bars .l and J', having their inner ends formed with turned-up iiangesoir IOO nected with downwardly-extendin g iian ges of a U-shaped clip J 2 by means of a transverselyextending bolt J 2, as is plainly indicated in Fig. '7. A longitudinally-extending plate K is held loosely on the bolt J3 under the clip J2, and adjacent plates K are connected with each other by rods K. (See Fig. 6.) The rods K extend under the middle portions of the central or middle sections G', so as to properly support the same.`

Between the adjacent bars J and J is arranged a supporting device, (shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 6,) the said device consisting of brackets L and L', secured to the rings I and I', respectively, and connected with each other by a transversely-extending bolt L2 for holding the brackets firmly in place. Each bolt L2 is engaged by clips L3, secured to the under side of the middleI section G', so as to form a firm transverse support for the same. The outer ends of the brackets L and L are sufficiently wide to receive and support the adjacent ends of two outer sections G2 and two inner sections G2, respectively.

Each of the brackets L and L is formed with a slot L4, engaged by downwardly-extending flanges N of brackets N', secured to the under side of the sections G2 and G2. The downwardly extending arms of the brackets are formed with registering apertures for the passage of a rod N2, secured at its ends to the corresponding transverse bars J and J.

Now it will be seen that by the arrangement described the platform G has its individual sections properly supported, so as to permit the sections to move independently of each other when the frame D is revolved and the platform moves in an inclined plane. It is understood that when the frame D is revolved the beams E always remain in uniform horizontal position, owing to the weight or load carried by the beams and by the weight of the platform supported from the beams.

In order to impart a rotary motion to the inclined frame D, I provide the under side of the arms D5 with clips or V-shaped arms arranged in a circle and engaged by an endless cord or belt l?, also passing once or several times around a pulley Q, journaled in suitable bearings held on the towerA. The lower end of the shaft Qis provided with a beveled gear-wheel Q2, in mesh with a beveled gearwheel R', secured on a driving-shaft R, connected with a suitable motor or other means for imparting a rotary motion to the shaft R, the motion of the latter being transmitted by the beveled gear-wheels R and O2 to the vertical shaft Q, which by the pulley Q and belt P causes the frame D to revolve. It is evident that when the frame revolves then the hobby-horses or other devices secured on the links F2 always stand in a horizontal position lengthwise over the platform G, so that when the machine is in motion the said devices incline toward the platform when moving from a lower to an uppermost position or from an uppermost position down into a lowermost position. Thus the rider or person carried by one of the said devices is always in a level position, with a changing floor or platform, so that a spectator gains the impression that the hobby-horse is moving or rocking, and with it the person seated on said horse.

Very little power is required for setting the machine in motion, as owing to the inclination of the frame D the friction between the cap-plate D2 and the wheels B is reduced to a minimum, owing to the tendency of the frame D to move upward on account of the inclined plane in which the frame revolves.

Owing to the peculiar construction described, the frame D and parts suspended therefrom run in equilibrium, as the center of gravity of the frame is on a vertical line which extends on the upper side of an inclined inverted cone the axis of which coincides with the axis of the frame, and the apex of the cone intersects the plane of inclination of the platform-frame at the latters center, as will be readily understood by reference to the diagrammatic views shown in Figs. 9 and lO.

The sector-line d c represents the inclined platform, with the center g, from which extends perpendicularly the line ofsuspension gf, which forms the upper side of the inverted cone g f h, the axisi of which intersects the line d e at g. The line of gravity g f also intersects the surface of a sphere 7c la, of which d e forms the base for a spherical segment, and the center1 k' of the sphere is in the axis/11. f is the point of suspension for the frame and IOO lies in the surface of a sphere at a point at which the surface is intersected by the line of gravity for the frame. It is evident that weight uniformly distributed along the line d c keeps in balance or equilibrium, and as this line represents the platform-frame, and the suspension f is the bearing B for the upper end of the frame, it follows that the frame runs in equilibrium. lt will be understood that any slight theoretical variations in equilibrium are guarded against bythe rollers C.

It will be readily seen by reference to Fig. 3 that the point'of suspension is located eccentrically upon the plate D2, said point being the point of contact of the upper roll B with the said plate, the other rolls B and the rolls C acting only as guides to prevent swaying under accidental strains. From the peculiar location of the suspension-point it will be obvious that the structure consisting merely of the plate D2 and arms D3 D6 D5, if symmetrically constructed, as it is, will assume an inclined position when in equilibrium. In consequence thereof the weights (the horses F3 or equivalents) Vsuspended from the periphery of said structure will be at different distances from the vertical line passing through the point of suspension and the center of gravity, and such weights thus having unequal leverage will cause the center of gravity to be shifted to the side of said vertical line-that is, the structure, in order that IIO equilibrium may be established, will assume a' different inclination from that above referred to.

Having thus fully described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A device of the class described, comprising a revoluble frame having its axis inclined for the frame to rotate in an inclined plane, levers hung on the outer ends of the said frame, a flexible platform suspended from the said levers, and supporting devices carried by the suspending devices of the platform above said platform, substantially as shown and described.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a tower, a revoluble frame mounted to turn on the said tower in an inclined plane, means for imparting a rot-ary motion ,to the said frame, levers hung on the outer ends of the said frame and adapted to carry a load,

and a iiexible platform suspended from the" said levers under the load, substantially as shown and described.

3. A device of the class described, comprising an inclined frame mounted to turn, beamlevers hung on the outer ends of the frame, links carried by the said beams and supporting the load, rings connected with the said links, and a platform made in sections and carried by the said rings, substantially as sho-wn and described.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a revoluble inclined frame, beams hung on the outer ends of the said frame, links `carried by the said beams, rings pivotally connected by the said links, and arranged concentric to one another, with the inner ring in sections loosely `connected with each other, to permit of expanding and contracting, and a platform made in sections and carried by the said rings, substantially as shown and described.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a revoluble inclined frame, beams hung on the outer ends of the said frame, links carried by the said beams, rings pivotally connected by the said links and arranged concentric to one another, with the inner ring in sections loosely connected with each other, to permit of expanding and contracting, a platform made in sections and carried by the said rings, and intermediate devices held on the said rings for supporting the sections of the platform, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a sectional platform, of a support for the same, consisting of clips, rings carried by the clips, one of the rings being formed in sections, transverse bars formed of jointed sections, plates at the joints of the combination with a revoluble inclined frame, and links suspended therefrom, of clips on the lower ends of the links, rings carried by the clips, one of the said rings being formed in sections, transverse bars formed of pivotally-connected sections, plates at the joints of said bars, rods connecting the plates, brackets secured to the rings intermediate of the transverse bars and connected together, and a platform formed of sections, substantially as described.

8. Adevice of the class described, comprising a tower having an upper and lower bearing, the upper bearing being provided with vertically-disposed wheels and the lower bearing with horizontal wheels, a revoluble frame held in an inclined position and supported on the said bearings, the said frame being provided with a cap-plate having an annular groove on its under face engaging the vertically-disposed wheels of the upper bearing, a ring connected with the said cap-plate and engaged at its inside by the horizontal'wheels of the lower bearing, arms extending outwardly from the said ring and connected by stays with the cap-plate, a iiexible platform suspended from the said arms, and seats above the platform and traveling therewith, substantially as shown and described.

9. A device of the class described, provided with a circular hexible platform mounted to turn in an inclined plane, and supporting devices extending longitudinally above the said platform and traveling with the same and extending at varying angles to the platform during the revolution thereof, substantially as shown and described.

10. A device of the class described, comprising a frame mounted to revolve in an'inclined plane, a platform suspended from the frame and traveling therewith in an inclined plane, and seats carried by the supports of the platform and held in a horizontal position above the said platform, substantially as described.

11. A device of the class described, comprising a frame mounted to tu-rn in an inclined plane, rocking supports carried by the frame, a `platform suspended from said supports, and seats carried by the suspending devices of the platform and held in a horizontal position above the said platform, substantially as described.

l2. A device of the class described, comprising a revolving frameA having its axis inclined, a iiexible platform, means for suspending the platform from the frame and seats carried by the suspending means above the platform, substantially as described.

13. A device of the class described, comprising a revolving frame having its axis inclined and provided with radial arms, bails pivoted to the arms, a platform, rods connecting the bails with the platform, and intermediate rods secured to the bails and platform and carrying supporting devices, substantially as described. i i

14. A device of the class described, compris- IIO IZO

ISO

in g a revolving frame having` its axis inclined and provided with radial arms having sockets at their ends, bails provided with arms having balls at their ends fitting in the said sockets, a platform7 rods connecting the bails With the platform, an intermediate rod for each bail, and supporting devices carried by the said intermediate rods, substantially as described.

l5. The combination with a support, of an approximately Circular frame mounted on the support off its axis of rotation and so arranged relatively thereto as to hang therefrom in an inclined position, means for rotating the frame, and a platform loosely sus- WILLIAM HERFURTH.

Witnesses:

THEoG. HosTER, J AMES M. I-IENLEY. 

